Size Matters

Size apparently matters when it comes to historic preservation in Baltimore. Not the size of the historic building in question or the magnitude of its significance, but the size of the institution that owns it and wants to tear it down. If any preservationist out there doubts the importance of money and influence in the preservation process, he or she needs only to look at the growing list of cases in which influence has trumped everything else:

2004

• Kennedy Krieger Institute demolishes the 1876 Broadway School, an individually listed building on the National Register of Historic Places
• University of Baltimore demolishes the 1916 Monumental Motor Car Company (Odorite) Building, a contributing building in a Baltimore City Historic District

2005

• The Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore applies for demolition permit for 1905 Rochambeau Apartments, a contributing building in a National Register Historic District and a City Special District
• The University of Maryland Medical Systems announces its intention to demolish the 1893 Turner-White Building, an individually listed building on the National Register of Historic Places
• Mercy Medical Center announces intention to demolish 1820s 300 Block St. Paul Place, a City Notable Property

So, I guess all those historic preservation ordinances and restrictions are for the rest of us, since the city seems only to be bending over for the big guys.

Many thanks to old warrior for the stats.